Flour
200g
Pieces
24
Temp
170°C
200 ml ice water + 2 eggs
170°C
1,000 ml
24
480g
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Inputs
Result
4 servings × 50g flour = 200g. Water: 4 × 50ml = 200ml. Eggs: ceil(4/2) = 2. Pieces: 4 × 6 = 24. Mixed = vegetable temp 170°C.
Inputs
Result
2 × 50g = 100g flour. Water: 100ml. Eggs: ceil(2/2) = 1. Pieces: 2 × 4 = 8. Seafood = 180°C.
Traditional tempura batter uses a 1:1 flour-to-ice-water ratio by weight. For 4 servings, that is 200g flour and 200ml ice-cold water plus 2 eggs. The key to crispy tempura is keeping everything cold and mixing minimally — lumps in the batter are desirable.
Optimal frying temperature depends on the ingredient: vegetables fry at 160–170°C (320–340°F) for thorough cooking, while seafood fries at 170–180°C (340–360°F) for quick crisping. Use a deep-fry thermometer and maintain temperature by not crowding the pot.
| Ingredient | Temperature | Fry Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | 180°C | 2–3 min | Score belly to prevent curling |
| Vegetables | 170°C | 2–4 min | Cut thin and uniform |
| Sweet Potato | 160°C | 4–5 min | Slice 5mm thick |
| Squid | 180°C | 1–2 min | Very quick, overcooks easily |
You need at least 1 liter (about 1 quart) of neutral oil for deep-frying tempura, providing a minimum 3cm (1.2 inch) depth in a standard pot. Use vegetable, canola, or sesame oil. The oil temperature drops when food is added, so maintaining 3+ cm depth is critical.
A standard tempura serving includes 4–6 pieces: 2 shrimp and 3–4 vegetables for a mixed plate. For shrimp-only (ebi tempura), plan 4 large shrimp per person. As a side dish with rice, 4 pieces is sufficient; as a main course, plan 6–8 pieces.
Read our guide
Read our guide
Read our guide
Japanese dumpling wrapper and filling amounts
Japanese pancake batter and toppings
Calculate oil volume for deep frying
Explore all our free food, baking, and brewing calculators
Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.